Marcello Lippi is confident his former assistant manager Ciro Ferrara “will build something important at Juventus.”
Ferrara was offered the full-time job after a two-week spell as caretaker manager following Claudio Ranieri’s dismissal.
“I don’t know if I see myself in Ciro, but I want to congratulate him,” said Italy boss Lippi on RAISport.
“He has charisma, character, intelligence, wisdom and the likeability to form a rapport with the professionals at the highest level in his squad.
“He has everything it takes to do well and I’m sure he will build something important at Juventus.”
Ferrara was at the Coverciano training ground on Friday morning when he received the call from Turin.
He had been working as Lippi’s assistant manager, but has resigned that post and will not be going to the Confederations Cup in South Africa next week.
Lippi confirmed no replacements will be called to fill Ferrara’s Azzurri role.
Tonight an experimental side takes on Northern Ireland in a friendly at Pisa’s Arena Garibaldi.
“The squad is in good shape. I can see a very satisfying mix of players who are perhaps not all that young anymore but experienced and come from the World Cup along with those new faces.”
The Coach again hinted that Davide Santon will receive his senior Italy debut at right-back with Gaetano D’Agostino and Giuseppe Mascara also making their bows.
You can watch Italy v Northern Ireland LIVE on BBC3 or BBC2 NI.
Italy (probable): De Sanctis; Santon, Legrottaglie, Gamberini, Grosso; Gattuso, D’Agostino, Montolivo; Mascara, Pazzini, Rossi
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